Lakers vs. Blazers (Photo : Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers aim for second win in row as they play the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Preview:
The Lakers gave the Denver Nuggets some payback on Sunday, a couple of days after losing to the same team. D'Angelo Russell put up a pre-season high 33 points and Lou Williams added 25 to lead the Lakers to a 124-115 win against the Nuggets at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
The Blazers, on the other hand, are coming off a 115-110 win over the Phoenix Suns last Friday, a game where former NCAA Tournament MOP Shabazz Napier dropped 20 points in 24 minuites off the bench.
Portland is 2-0 this preseason behind their dynamic backcourt of Damian Lilliard and CJ McCollum, while the Lakers are thriving with their young core as they went 2-1 in their first three preseason games.
Players to Watch:
Lakers: Ivica Zubac already lagged a total of 17 minutes this preseason, recording 4 points and showing some of his shot-altering ability. He's expected to be a third stringer center behind starter Timofey Mozgov and Tarik Black, but the 19-year old Croatian showed that he can hold his own defensively at this stage of his career.
Portland: Noel Vonleh had a solid game against the Phoenix Suns, chalking up 14 points and 14 rebounds in 20 minutes. The former lottery pick is in the third year of his rookie contract and really needs to put things together this season in order him to have some leverage for his next deal.
Another big performance by Vonleh vs. the Lakers would give the Blazers coaching staff something to think of with regards to allotting minutes for their frontline personnel.
Team News & Rumors:
Lakers: Head coach Luke Walton wants Nick Young to shoot the ball as much as possible, but critical on the guard's commitment on the defensive end of the floor. Young has been in trade rumors for quite some time; however, his performance of late could earn a solid spot in the Lakers' rotation.
Blazers: Myers Leonard has been cleared for full practice. Speaking of the Blazers' log jam in the frontline, Leonard is another player who could earn significant minuites. He's expected to compete with Festus Ezeli and Mason Plumlee for the starting role.
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